Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Antibiotic Reduction Strategies

Reducing antibiotic use in pig production while maintaining welfare requires complementary strategies including vaccination, improved management, and better diagnostics.

Key Facts

Antibiotics are widely used in pig production but are being reduced through regulation and industry action
Metaphylactic use in healthy animals is being phased out across the EU
Vaccination reduces disease incidence and antibiotic need for several key pathogens
Improved biosecurity, nutrition, and housing reduce disease pressure
Diagnostic investment ensures antibiotic use when needed is targeted and appropriate

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic reduction is achievable without welfare compromise when accompanied by improved management. Indeed, farms with the best welfare tend to use the fewest antibiotics because healthy, well-managed pigs get sick less.

What You Can Do

Support farms with verified antibiotic reduction programmes
Choose products with low-antibiotic-use certification
Advocate for antibiotic reduction strategies that protect welfare
Learn about the link between pig welfare and antibiotic use